Chapter 11

The Inquest was hurried for certain local reasons, which weighed with the corner and the town authorities.

It was held on the afternoon of the next day.

I was necessarily one among the witnesses summoned to assist the objects of the investigation.

My first proceeding in the morning was to go to the post office, and inquire for the letter

which I expected from Mary Ann.

No change of circumstances, however extraordinary, could affect the one great anxiety which

weighed on my mind while I was away from London.

The morning's letter, which was the only assurance I could receive that no misfortune

had happened in my absence, was still the absorbing interest with which my day began.

To my relief the letter from Mary Ann was at the office, waiting for me.

Nothing had happened.

They were both as safe and as well as when I left them.

Laura sent her love and begged that I would let her know of my return a day beforehand.

Her sister added, in explanation of this message, the cheat saved nearly a sovereign out of

her own private purse, and that she had claimed the privilege of ordering the dinner and giving

the dinner which was to celebrate the day of my return.

I read these little domestic confidences in the bright morning with the terrible recollection

of what had happened the evening before vivid in my memory.

The necessity of sparing Laura and his sudden knowledge of the truth was the first consideration

which the letter suggested to me.

I wrote it once to Mary Ann to tell her what I have told in these pages, presenting the

...